Morocco Enhances Its Leadership in Industrial and Commercial Property with Advanced Reforms and Digital Services
Riyad Mezzour, the Minister of Industry and Trade, praised the significant progress Morocco has made in the field of industrial and commercial property, noting that this development has substantially supported major strategic initiatives and enhanced the Kingdom’s attractiveness for value-added investments.
During the thirty-ninth meeting of the board of directors of the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property, held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Rabat, he explained that the office has become a pivotal component of the economic and industrial system, thanks to its proximity to stakeholders and the effectiveness of its services, which has contributed to fostering a culture of innovation protection within Moroccan enterprises.
The meeting was dedicated to reviewing the office’s key achievements during the 2024-2025 period, where encouraging growth indicators were recorded, both in terms of the number of industrial property registration applications and the establishment of new companies.
The annual accounts for 2024 were approved, and international indicators showed that Morocco continues to lead at the African and Arab levels for the third consecutive year, according to the Global Intellectual Property Index issued by the American Chamber of Commerce.
The year 2024 recorded a 14% increase in the number of trademark registration applications, reaching 31,581 applications, alongside a 23% growth in industrial designs and models (6,818 applications), and a 4% rise in patents (2,926 applications). The office issued 126,984 negative certificates and registered 95,593 new companies in the commercial register, marking a 2% increase compared to the previous year.
This positive momentum continued in the first four months of 2025, with the number of trademark registration applications reaching 10,620, reflecting a 4% growth for national applications. Meanwhile, the number of industrial designs and models stood at 3,687 (+1%), and patent applications reached 858, showing a remarkable increase of 20%. A total of 50,337 negative certificates were issued, and 38,364 new companies were recorded in the commercial register, representing a 21% rise.
Board members also reviewed the office’s activities in raising awareness and promoting the culture of industrial property through sector-specific workshops, specialized seminars, and training courses aimed at professional chambers and regional investment centers. The office continued to strengthen its national and international partnerships, particularly with prominent organizations such as the World Intellectual Property Organization, the European Patent Office, and the French National Institute of Industrial Property, while expanding cooperation to include countries like the UAE and China, and launching a new partnership with Switzerland.
The year 2025 witnessed significant developments in digital services, highlighted by the rollout of an online platform for establishing companies, which facilitated the creation of over 19,000 firms in just three days, reflecting a noticeable improvement in service quality and the dynamism of the business climate in the Kingdom.
